What measure of holiness are you ?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Does God expect his children to be worthy of him and his Kingdom?


4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

5 [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 2 Thess. 1:4-5

Paul says:

11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power: 2 Thess 1:11

...

Originally Posted by Timmy

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37

(I'm not worthy of Him, btw.)

So, how then do we "become worthy?"

Go back to 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV) - but with verse 3 this time:

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering--"

The Thessalonians didn't "have to do" anything to make themselves 'worthy.' They were already worthy because God Himself loved them and accounted them 'worthy.'

Also, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12:

"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

That is the essence of grace. God accounts us "worthy" when we were truly worthless. He then goes on to transform us by His grace to make us into a vessel "worthy of honor" (Romans 9:21-23).